An afternoon walk became unwalkable . . . so we had a
swift change of plans and chose a nearby valley instead,

walking a path that we had seen but never trod before.

All the while we were being watched . . . by "big"
but not "big brother" !

The plan was to park near Low Cock How Farm and walk a
circular farm path over to, and around Meadley Reservoir.

It is a small lake that we had often seen from the fells
and the whole walk would be a new route for us.

As we parked near the farm it was the end of the working
day for the horses

and they walked slowly and methodically out of the farm
drive and onto the open moorland.

A wonderful herd of about fifteen or twenty heavy horses
and ponies.

It doesn't matter how soft the saddle blanket was during
the day . . .

there's nothing like a nice roll and a scratch to invigorate
the body straight after work.

We walked down past Swinside End Farm which reminded me
of all the gardening jobs I still have to do

and also gave me an idea for an inexpensive cold frame
to help the young seedlings I would be planting soon in our Loweswater
garden.

A lovely afternoon which was enhanced with brief glimpses
down into the Ennerdale Valley.

The fells are Great Borne, Starling Dodd and Red Pike,
three we see in reverse order from our valley over the ridge.

This area was rich in iron stone mines, which when combined
with local coal, gave rise to the early industrial activity locally. The
town of Barrow and the dockyards are a direct result of the industrial
revolution reaching this part of the world in the 1800's.

Unfortunate the track at this point became a quagmire,
and from our vantage point on the bend we could see that our objective,
Meadley Reservoir was not very attractive anyway. They had recently drained
all the water out of it in order to do maintenance on it !

Time for Plan B.

We had parked on the route of the Coast to Coast
footpath . . .

. . . so decided to retrace our steps and walk
the C to C .

That's better . . . we walked south this time into the
top end of the Nanny Catch Valley

where there was a reasonably good footpath to follow.

Green grass instead of thick mud is a much more enjoyable
environment for a walk !

Dent Fell is the first high ground on the West to East
route of Wainwright's Coast to Coast path.

Nanny Catch is the valley behind it and the walk skirts
around the back of Flat Fell, seen here on the right.

Thick growth on the northern side of this ancient
wall.

An artistic valley track coming down from Lowther
Woods.

The C - C sign painted on the rock has faded almost into
obscurity over the years.

That's the route on . . . but we'll turn round
now Bethan.

We retrace our steps back up the valley.

Leaving our outward route to continue onwards,

we climb up out of the shallow valley, aiming for Kinnerside
Stone Circle.

The horses we had seen earlier have gathered on the other
side of the Cold Fell road.

They are strong looking horses but well used to people
by the look of it.

Heads are turned as Ann, myself and the dogs approach.

Harry and Bethan are out of photo, hiding behind my legs
as yet another horse comes over to say hello.

As can be seen by the stones, we have arrived at the Kinnerside
Circle.